November is the official month for Movember, AKA Mo Month. This yearly tradition is to support Prostate Cancer Research Awareness. The chief goal is to start the month of November off with a clean shaven face and to just let the “stache”, moustachegrow until the end of the month.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in a man’s prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grows slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Prostate cancer that is detected early — when it’s still confined to the prostate gland — has a better chance of successful treatment.

Where is the prostate and prostate cancer located?

How old should you be when you start getting your prostate checked?

A man should have his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level checked if he has any of the warning signs of prostate cancer.

A change in urination patterns lasting longer then two weeks.

Frequent urination (especially at night).

Persistent pain in the back, hip, pelvis or thighs.

Burning sensation during urination.

Inability to urinate or difficulty starting urination.

Weak or interrupted urine flow.

Painful urination.

Your chance of getting prostate cancer may be affected by your:

Age ~ Being 50 or older increases your chance of prostate cancer.

Race ~ Prostate cancer is most common among African men.

Family history ~ If your grandfather, father or brother has had prostate cancer, you are more likely to have it too.

Diet ~ Eating high-fat food with few fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of having prostate cancer.

Early Detection of Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms.

How often should I get checked?

There is significant controversy over when, and even if a man should have his PSA level checked when he has none of these symptoms. Respected expects disagree widely over the tests use. All men should be tested first at no later then 40. After the initial prostate screening, the frequency of future testing should be discussed with your physician. If your grandfather, father, brother or uncle has been diagnosed with prostate cancer then you should start PSA screening at age 30-35.

Movember acknowledges the sprouting of thousands of moustaches on men in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise money for prostate cancer research through many different organizations. These donations are vital to maintaining awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

On the first of November, the guys register at Movember.com with a clean shaven face. These “Mo’s Bros”, groom, trim and wax their way to the perfect stache. It is the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, are Mo Sistas. Movember’s Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts throughout their community.

These gentlemen become walking, talking, billboards for the 30 days of November for Prostate Cancer Awareness. Through their actions and words, they raise awareness by talking about a subject that a lot of men feel ashamed by. This can be an ignored topic that Movember has taken the taboo and shame out of.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their achievements by either throwing their own Movember party or attend one of the Gala Parties held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research

Prostate Cancer is the number one cancer in males is Canada. The funds raised help with the research of this ever growing disease.

The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and men’s health partner, Prostate Cancer Canada. Together, the two channels work together to ensure that Movemberfunds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health each year.

If you know of someone that has prostate cancer or has the chance of being a host to this disease in your family, start the discussion. There is no reason that this has to be a silent killer. We can work together by keeping the conversation of prostate cancer going, by raising awareness, to this ever rising disease. If detected early the consequences don’t have to be so harsh. We don’t need to loose a friend or a loved one to a disease that can be caught and hopefully treated. Let’s keep this discussion going, talk to you brother, father, husband. Support Movember this November!!

Do you know someone that takes part in this great cause? Do you know someone that has had prostate cancer and has beat the odds? What can you do to help keep this discussion going? Can you be part of the change?

Click here to subscribe to my blog; that way when I write an article it will go right to your email. Don’t miss out on anything!!

Word Of The Moment

I am a lover of words. I do admit that I am not very dexterous about using them in sentences, but when I am reading a book and I see a great word it makes me smile. Words that flow so well in a paragraph and I think to myself, what I wonderful word.

So as often as I can, I will try to share with you the words that do it for me. :)